LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS Sustainable surfaces
Permeable external surfaces provide the starting point for sustainable surface water drainage (also known as SuDS), but concrete block permeable paving offers far more than flood prevention, explains Chris Hodson of Interpave
t’s over three years since the Government chose to abandon dedicated requirements for SuDS on new developments in England using the Flood and Water Management Act. Instead, the latest National Planning Policy Framework calls for SuDS on developments of 10 or more dwellings or similar scale non-housing schemes, and for it to provide multifunctional benefits where possible.
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These measures are now being applied and enforced with increasing effectiveness by local planning authorities, through local policies and guidelines. Even the 2019 National Design Guide for developments considers that: “Well- designed places have sustainable drainage systems to manage surface water, flood risk and significant changes in rainfall.”
Dedicated SuDS requirements However, last year the Welsh Government did implement Schedule 3 of the Act. New measures include the establishment of a SuDS Approving Body (SAB) within each local/unitary authority. SAB approval is required for drainage systems on new and redeveloped sites, and the SAB will be required to adopt and maintain approved SuDS that serve more than one property. In Scotland, 2011 regulations simply require surface water drainage systems from new developments to discharge water to the environment through SuDS. In addition, other – often forgotten – changes to ‘permitted development’ rights for new or replacement paving around existing properties are now being more effectively enforced. They apply to homes and also industrial, warehouse, office and shop premises, unless permeable paving or a permeable area within the property is used. Otherwise planning permission will be needed, and this should be refused – with local policies requiring SuDS now appearing. For example, the Draft London Plan states “Development proposals for impermeable
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paving should be refused where appropriate, including on small surfaces such as front gardens and driveways.”
Natural drainage As the new Welsh National Standards explain: “The SuDS approach mimics natural drainage, managing surface runoff at or close to the surface and as close to its source as practicable.” By its very nature, concrete block permeable paving is uniquely placed as an essential, attractive, surface-based, multifunctional SuDS technique.
By its very nature,
concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) is uniquely placed as an essential, attractive, surface-based, multifunctional SuDS technique
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